Its no secert that Centralia Panther senior, Lukas Koch is a great runner winning state cross country this year and sweeping gold in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meter runs in 1A at state last year.

This season on the track and field playing field Koch's dominance as shined again as he was won all the events he competed in thus far into the season with his fellow Centralia teammates. Looking for a bigger challenge Koch took part in the Wichita Pre-State Challenge competing against some of the other elite track and field athletes from classes 6A-1A across the state of Kansas.

Lukas competed in the elite field for the 800 and 3200 meter runs, going against some of the best in the state from all classes and he came away with a pair of third place finishes, while pushing himself he managed to break his own school records in the process. In the 800 meter run he registered a time of 1:57.91 to top his previous school record of 1:59.34. While in the 3200 meter run he shattered his school record of 9:47.65, this time racing to a time of 9:30.81, which is only 27 tenths of a second behind the state 1A record held by Mike Becker of Downs (9:30.54).

The Panther senior also competed in the 400 meter dash in the 3-1A competition and took home a gold medal with the time of 52.19. He didn't compete in the 1600 meter run due to it being after the 3200 meter run.

Koch looks to continue his dominance on the track this season with his sights set on state yet again.

(Some information courtesty of Marysville Advocate)